Kusatsu Onsen Layout

Kusatsu-onsen consists of eighteen public baths, each with a different effect and separate fountainhead. Most of the hot springs operate twenty-four hours a day. In the center of the town, two spots are particularly popular year-round: ‘Yubatake,’ one of the fountainheads, and Netsu-no-yu, where ‘yumomi’ (stirring hot water with paddle-like wooden boards to cool it down) demonstrations are held.

Near the mountaintop of Mt. Shirane, tourists can hike along the Shiga-Kusatsu-Kogen Route, which is also a popular ski resort in winter and early spring. Manza-onsen Hot Spring at the western foot of the mountain is well-known as a hot spring with high-quality milky-white water. There’s nothing like a hot bath after skiing or hiking to relax!

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As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including destinations including hot spring resorts. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

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Kanmuri Inari Shrine History

The city of Ota has designated the main sanctuary and the main hall as significant historical and cultural places. Kanmuri Inari was founded 800 years ago. The front sanctuary and the main hall were built about 300 years ago. They are dedicated to Ukanomitama-no-Mikoto, the deity of harvest who is also a business deity. Historically in Japan, having a good harvest leads to wealth. The Kanmuri Inari shrine is also well known for the weddings performed there.

What to See

The entrance door of a Shinto shrine is called a torii gate. The torii gate of this sanctuary is 12.5m high and 18m wide and is said to be one of the largest in the prefecture. This torii gate is called Kinoe which indicates the northeast, and also means ‘first’,  and is the east gate of the rising sun.

In particular, during the flowering period of the cherry trees, at 9 p.m., the door and the surrounding area are illuminated which makes for a pretty sight in combination with the flowers. The enclosure has 10 beautiful buildings dedicated to various gods.

There are many small sculptures of Inari foxes around the entire enclosure. The foxes are the messengers of the god Inari in the terrestrial world. Here you can also find a special bell to break all the bad luck and balances your life. The sanctuary is surrounded by nature, creating a striking contrast. The vermilion color in which most of the buildings are painted, together with the pure green of nature are a beautiful combination.

Plum Blossoms

This sanctuary is famous for the Japanese quince, the ‘boke’. These protected plum blossoms bloom in spring. There are many varieties of the Japanese quince; those in the sanctuary are vermilions. It is said that about 400 years ago, an infertile wife would pray in the sanctuary every day.

One day, a messenger of the gods appeared and said: “you should take boke extract and you will become fertile”. She did it and got pregnant. She planted a Japanese quince as a token of her gratitude. Although there seems to be only one tree, it is actually 400 trees that have grown together in a group. People come here to pray for conception, easy childbirth, and for a healthy body and mind.

The Kanmuri Inari is a jewel that deserves to be visited.

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As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including off the beaten track destinations. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

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Kanayama Castle History

Clan head Iwamatsu Iezumi built this castle in 1469. Yokose Narishige, a retainer of the Iwamatsu family, came to rule over it in 1528. Around 1565, the Yokose changed their name to Yura. During the period of the Warring States, Kanayama Castle was attacked several times by some of the strongest powers in the area including Uesugi Kenshin (1574), Takeda Katsuyori (1580), and Satake Yoshishige (1583). It withstood all these attacks demonstrating its tough construction and great location.

During the year 1584, Yura Kunishige and his brother Nagao Akinaga (lord of Tatebayashi Castle) were captured by the Hojo clan of Odawara. In exchange for their release, they turned over the castle to the Hojo clan. During Hideyoshi’s campaign against the Hojo, Maeda Toshiie took over Kanayama Castle in 1590. It was decommissioned and not used after this time.

Kanayama Castle Ruins Today

Kanayama Castle is one of the Top 100 Castles, one of the Seven Famous Kanto Castles, and a National Historic Site. The site used to be called Nittayama, which appears in Manyoshu. This book was the first anthology of Japanese poetry and was edited in the 8th century. Standing out in a field that extends as far as the Kanto Plain, Kanayama has been a major landmark in the area.

It is also well known for its early history and castle. Recently, the ruins were restored. It is now possible to tell what “a mountain castle” of the ancient days looked like. You can trace some of the interesting restored ruins on a hiking course, as well as enjoying the seasonal trees and flowers.

Taking advantage of the geological features, Kanayama Castle was well-fortified and difficult to attack. The pathways are narrow, winding, and tricky. If you attempted to attack the castle, you would be unsure which path to take to get to. Inside at Dobashi Point, you will see an overwhelming wall of stacked-up rocks. Then the path leads you to the left, where you could be attacked in two possible ways; one from platforms in front and from a lookout above.

The Castle Garden

The Moon and The Sun pond in the ruins were used for drinking water. The Sun pond was also used for ceremonies and praying for rain or victory in battle. There is a big Zelkova tree that is over 500 years old at the base of the stairs leading up to The Nitta Shrine. The Watch Tower commands a view of the northeastern area as far as the eye can see. On a clear day, you can see Mt. Akagi, Mt. Haruna, Mt. Myogi, and even Mt. Asama.

Tourists can perceive the imposing scale of the original construction and its historical value. By simply strolling among the ruins of the old stone walls and floors of the fortress you will feel its former greatness. At the foot of the site, there is now a museum about the monument. Observing and translating the story of the stones to fit it into its historical and geographic context, it is an interesting place to visit.

In 2006 the Japanese town of Ota appointed famous architect Kengo Kuma to design a cultural center and museum dedicated to the famous Kanayama Castle. Kuma’s architecture weaves a two-dimensional fabric of stone made up of two types of patterns. It is integrated and multiplied to cover all of the cement building housing the museum’s collections and hosting activities centering on the castle.

Are you interested in Japanese history or want to have an adventure outside the bustling tourist sites? Visiting the ruins of Kanayama Castle should be on your itinerary!

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As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including off-the-beaten path destinations. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Kanayama Castle Ruins Area Map

Approximately 40 years ago, Mikazukimura village was used as the setting for a great soap opera. It is titled ‘Kogarashi Monjiro’ by writer Saho Sasazawa, in which he tells the story of a fictional samurai.

Attractions

Mikazukimura houses a Cha-ya (tea house), a Shokuji-tei (dining room), and a gift house. At these places, the current currency cannot be used. In order to buy something here, you must exchange your JPY to Monsen, the currency of the Edo period. You can do this at the exchange window when entering the village. Additionally to the home of the soap opera star Kogarashi Monjiro, it houses 3 more important attractions.

KAIIGENDO: on the way to the cave you will find several places without an exit, you will have to look for the hidden trick to be able to find the exit.

KARAKURI YASHIKI: this is a mechanical mansion. The interior of this mansion is a maze. Can you find the exit?

FUKASHIGI DOZOU (mysterious Japanese style house): this is a house that, by using optical illusion, unbalances your sense of balance.

In addition, at the bottom of the village, you will find the Water Mill that was built by a mill specialist from Hida Prefecture (currently Gifu Prefecture). Inside the mill, you can see some ancient techniques. You can also rent costumes from the Edo era in the clothing shacks.

When you pass through the tunnel, you can see the landscape of the Edo period, such as the fire tower, the houses, the water mill, and the main street of the town. There are also shops that sell snacks that were popular back in the days, like an Itsuki tea house with grilled buns and a soba restaurant.

To really get into the feel of the Edo period, there are only a few objects that use electricity which is at the same time contributing to saving the environment. For those interested in experiencing the Edo period in its purest essence, the Mikazukimura village is a great option.

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As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including off the beaten path destinations. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

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Pilgrimage

If you think about a pilgrimage in Japan, the very long route in Shikoku will probably spring to mind first. While it is an amazing experience to walk (or ride) a part of this route if you have less time and energy you can also take a shortcut to luck. There are many longer and shorter pilgrimage routes in Japan, and a lot of them are dedicated to the Seven Lucky Gods.

The seven gods of good fortune have been worshipped for centuries by the Japanese people. The seven gods in Joshu Ota (Ota City in Gunma) are enshrined respectively at the seven temples located at the foot of Kanayama Hill. Ota is located a 1.75-hour train ride away from Tokyo station. It is highly recommended that you visit all the seven temples to admire their beauty and the environment. Added bonus: you will gain good fortune for a whole year if you make the whole round!

Seven Temples in Ota City

So which temples are on the route in Ota City, and what are their individual specialisms? Let’s start with the temples that are connected to wealth:

Chonen-ji (Chonen Temple): Ebisu (the god of wealth)

In the Edo Era, messengers to dedicate the offerings to the gods of the Emperor had to first register their arrival at this temple. In the Meiji Era, this temple also served as a boys’ high school. Visitors come here seeking good business, wealth and happiness.

Juraku-ji (Juraku Temple): Daikokuten (the god of wealth)

This temple was built in 1384. It was once relocated, burnt, and reconstructed. The gate shows you its history. Visitors come here seeking abundant food and fulfillment of their aspirations.

Daiko-in (Daiko Temple): Benzaiten (the goddess of music, eloquence, wealth, and wisdom)

This temple was constructed in 1613 by shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa as a memorial temple for Yoshishige Nitta, the founder of the clan. It is known as Kosodate-Donryu-sama, named after the first priest Donryu. Visitors come here seeking the acquisition of riches, happiness, and attainment of studies.

Gyokugon-ji (Gyokugon Temple): Fukurokuju (the god of happiness, wealth, and health)

The historical gate of the temple appears at the top of the stone steps, lending a quiet and elegant atmosphere to this location. Visitors come here seeking to bring about happiness and increase salary.

Other Types of Luck

The next four temples are connected to other types of luck:

Kinryu-ji (Kinryu Temple): Bishamonten (the god of wars and the guardian god of Buddhism)

This temple was constructed by Sadauji Yokose to worship his grandfather Yoshisada Nitta. A wooden statue of Yoshisada is enshrined here. Visitors come here seeking success in their occupation, and improvement of their fortune.

Eifuku-ji (Eifuku Temple): Jurojin (the god of longevity)

It is not certain when this temple was built, but it was relocated to this site by Sadauji Yokose, the lord of Kanayama Castle, in 1417. Visitors come here seeking good health and longevity.

Sogen-ji (Sogen Temple): Hoteison (the god of happiness)

This temple is also called Sazae-do (a turban shell temple) because of its style of architecture. The hydrangea garden is especially worth visiting. Visitors may come here seeking happiness and the safety of their families.

If you are looking for a different, private tour where you can connect with the seven gods of fortune, then the path of the seven temples of Ota may be a great tour for you.

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including off-the-beaten-path areas or pilgrimage routes. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

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